I dont like it when its loose and sloppy!
 

Hey guys the steering on my 74 is rediculusly loose, what causes this and how do i fix it? what should i look for? its got a 4 inch lift and power steering?? need help have to drive it back to az soon and can't do that till i fix the steering, just keeping it on the road is a quite the task!

Re: I dont like it when its loose and slopy!
 

Idler arms maybe tie rod ends is a possibility as well.

Re: I dont like it when its loose and slopy!
 

What Guy Does???:haha:

Re: I dont like it when its loose and slopy!
 

Well, I'd check out the ends on the drag link, tie rod and the steering gear itself. Other causes could be sloppy ball joints on the axle or (and this is often overlooked) a cracked frame at the steering gear.

If the frame is cracked there, every time you turn the wheel, not all the movement is going to the tires, some of it is flopping the gear around. Could be only a little or could be a lot. Have some body steer the truck with it parked while you watch for the gear assembly to move or not. If it's cracked you will need to fix them and add in a weld in brace.

Re: I dont like it when its loose and slopy!
 

yeah looked at the gear box right after i posted this and its got three cracks around each mounting hole!! grrrrrrr something else to fix on this truck! anyone want to buy it for 2200!

Re: I dont like it when its loose and slopy!
 

Ok If your frame has not yet done this is there any way to reinforce the area, to make sure it wont happen? Is this only likely to happen on 1/2 ton and 3/4 tons or could it happen to 1 tons as well?

Re: I dont like it when its loose and slopy!
 

probly any i think they use the same frame rails!

Re: I dont like it when its loose and slopy!
 

That's what I was thinking!!

Re: I dont like it when its loose and slopy!
 

I dont think so I've seen my frame its a true 1 ton and the frame on a 1/2 ton plus the 1 ton frame is 8inches and the 1/2 ton frame is 6 inches 3/4 ton frame is the same as 1/2 ton though.

Re: I dont like it when its loose and sloppy!
 

This gives me something else to look at! I have checked all steering components, including the rag joint, and all is tight. I guess I had better fix that before I put the 4" lift and the 3/4 ton axles underneath!:eek:

Re: I dont like it when its loose and sloppy!
 

So, last night, after reading this thread, I have crawled under my fender and had my wife work the steering wheel back and forth, and I cannot believe all the movement under there! I saw my steering box moving approx 1/16" back and forth, I witnessed the spring eye moving back and forth about the same amount, I saw the swaybar mount bracket, bolt AND rivet move about 1/16" as well, not to mention that the forward half of the drag link move in the socket! I can see how a total of 1/8" to 1/4" of movement can make the suburban wander! I was surprised to see the rag joint in good condition, and the rest of the steering linkage in good shape, nice and tight. I have parked it until I can get time to work on it. :gmc2:

Re: I dont like it when its loose and sloppy!
 

You need this to fix the frame:

http://www.offroaddesign.com/images/GU39002.jpg

And you need this to prevent it from happening again:

http://www.offroaddesign.com/images/GU39001-L.JPG

Go here to get it:

http://www.offroaddesign.com/catalog/steeringkit.htm

Re: I dont like it when its loose and sloppy!
 

And you need this to prevent it from happening again:

http://www.offroaddesign.com/images/GU39001-L.JPG

Go here to get it:

http://www.offroaddesign.com/catalog/steeringkit.htm[/QUOTE]

I have mine ordered this morning. Fortunately, I did not have any cracks on the framerails, but I did nave a couple of rivets wallowed out.
Thank you, Zoomad75, for the link.
(I did not mean to hijack the thread, it just happened to be perfect timing):lol: